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Climber Wall ShrubConservatory Greenhouse

Lonicera hildebrandiana

giant Burmese honeysuckle

The largest honeysuckle. It is an evergreen climber capable of reaching 10m or more, with flowers and leaves both up to 15cm long. The leaves are dark green and glossy. The highly fragrant, tubular flowers appear in pairs in the leaf axils all summer, opening pale cream and maturing to pale orange. Red berries up to 3cm long follow

Other common names
giant honeysuckle
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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
4–8 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Cream Orange Green
Autumn Green Red
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Caprifoliaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Climbing
Potentially harmful
Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus

Lonicera can be deciduous and evergreen shrubs, or climbers with twining stems. The tubular or two-lipped flowers, often very fragrant, are followed by red or black berries

Name status

Correct

Plant range
SE Asia, China

How to grow

Cultivation

May survive against a warm wall in very mild areas, otherwise grow in a cool greenhouse or conservatory in peat-free, loam-based compost with bright, filtered light

Propagation

Propagate by layering, or take semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Pruning group 11

Pests

May be susceptible to honeysuckle aphids, thrips and glasshouse whitefly

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, fungal leaf spot, silver leaf and honey fungus (rarely)

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